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Thursday, March 10, 2016

Soldiers from CFB Valcartier training in France

Written by: Frontline News

About 150 members of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMBG), based at Valcartier, Quebec, have commenced training in three different exercises with the French Army; training is scheduled to end on March 25, 2016. The objective of this exchange is to create contact that will enable the two armies’ headquarters personnel and infantry and armoured units to share their knowledge and skills.

Soldiers listen to climbing instruction given by the mountain detachment chief (French Army) during Exercise CHEVALIER TRICOLORE. Members of 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada are training with members of the French Army’s 4e Régiment de Chasseurs in the Alps. Photo: 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada

From joint training exercises to personnel exchanges, strategic policy discussions, and operational cooperation, Canada and France share a broad-based, dynamic, and mutually beneficial defence relationship. The two countries continue to strengthen that relationship in order to protect their common values and interests and promote international peace and security.

“Military exercises and exchanges with France ensure that we build and maintain know-how in joint operations and interoperability," said Colonel Michel-Henri St-Louis, 5 CMBG Commander. "Our countries face complex threats and our militaries must be ready to work jointly with the Allied forces.”

About 50 members of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMBG) Headquarters are participating in a multinational command post exercise in Mourmelon, France, with NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, led by France. Exercise CITADELLE JAVELIN is being carried out in an environment that covers the spectrum of conflict, in order to train and prepare headquarters personnel to perform the tasks that are part of NATO’s high readiness mandate.

A platoon from 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment is training in Belfort, Sissonne, with France’s 35e Régiment d’infanterie during a unit exchange christened Exercise CASTOR TRICOLORE. The purpose of the training is to improve soldiers’ urban combat skills and familiarize them with French Army equipment, tactics and culture.

12e Régiment Blindé du Canada is training in Gap, Hautes-Alpes, with the French Army’s 4e Régiment de Chasseurs on a unit exchange named Exercise CHEVALIER TRICOLORE. The exchange will give the troops the opportunity to take part in an armoured reconnaissance exercise in a mountainous region under winter conditions.

Canada and France enjoy a long-standing, dynamic and mutually beneficial defence cooperation relationship. The two countries are united by a shared commitment to NATO, which is the cornerstone of the trans-Atlantic defence and security relation